Bart Bryant, a three-time PGA Tour winner who bested Tiger Woods down the stretch to win two of them, died in a car accident on Tuesday, according to the PGA Tour.
Information was sketchy but the accident occurred in Florida as Bryant and his wife Donna were driving from Atlanta to their home in Winter Garden.
Bryant grew up in Gatesville, Texas, just outside of Waco. A two-time All-American at New Mexico State, Bryant’s pro career was derailed early by injury, but he continued to grind and eventually — in his 187th start, after 18 years and six trips to Q-school — won in his home state of Texas.
Bryant shot a pair of 67s through the first two days at the Texas Open, then held at the Resort Course at La Cantera Golf Club. He followed with a spectacular third round, tying a record by shooting a 60 — only the fourth time in the history of that event such a score had been posted.
In the final round, he shot another 67 to claim his first title.
He won twice in 2005, and both were huge: he captured The Memorial (being played this week in Dublin, Ohio) by one shot over Fred Couples and four over Tiger Woods, then won the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake by six over Woods, with a course-record 62 in the first round.
It was the largest margin Woods has ever lost by when finishing second. Woods returned the favor three years later when he made a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational to beat Bryant by one shot.
Bryant and his brother were born in Texas but grew up in New Mexico, where they were junior golf and mini-tour legends.
He won twice on the PGA Tour Champions, including the 2007 U.S. Senior Open.
Bryant is survived by his brother, his wife, daughters Kristen and Michelle and his stepchildren.
“The PGA TOUR is saddened by the tragic passing of Bart Bryant and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement. “The Bryants have been a part of the PGA TOUR family for over four decades and we are grateful for the impact and legacy he made on our organization and countless communities. Bart will be dearly missed.”
